On Wednesday, ESPN/TSN reporter Pierre LeBrun tweeted that Chicago Blackhawks centre Dave Bolland was being shopped by the team. Bolland, highly regarded as one of the league’s best checking centres in recent years, would under normal circumstances be a highly desirable acquisition for the Edmonton Oilers. Circumstances, however, are far from normal.

Heard from another team that the Blackhawks are shopping center Dave Bolland...

The Cost

If Bob Stauffer is anywhere close with his report as to what the Blackhawks are asking for – and it’s pretty unlikely he would write that unless he had solid information – than Chicago isn’t looking to shed cap hit or simply move the player out; they’re hoping for a team to see Bolland as a guy who drives results.

A reminder as to what Pominville (and a fourth-round pick) fetched at the deadline for Buffalo:

The 16th overall draft pick in 2013 A second round draft pick in 2014 Prospect Johan Larsson (2nd round pick in 2010; 62GP, 15-22-37 in the AHL this season as a rookie) Prospect Matt Hackett (3rd round pick in 2009; 43GP, 0.907 SV% in his third AHL season)

Larsson and Hackett both had relatively poor seasons – Larsson was a much bigger scorer in Sweden while Hackett managed 0.917 and 0.916 save percentage seasons in his two previous AHL campaigns – but both are still decent if unspectacular prospects.

It isn’t a ridiculous return for a third-line centre who is among the best in the league at his position, but then that’s the second problem.

2013

Dave Bolland had a miserable season in 2013.

Unlike in previous campaigns, Bolland didn’t play brutal minutes. He did see good opponents, but he had a 50/50 split of offensive and defensive zone draws and basically had Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp welded on either hip all season. Of course, Bolland missed some time to injury, so Kane and Sharp played roughly half their minutes with Bolland and half their minutes with other players. A look at their results with and without Bolland is instructive.

With Patrick Kane and Dave Bolland on the ice, the Blackhawks were outscored by a 4:3 margin and out-Corsied (Corsi measure all shot attempts and shows which end of the ice the puck is in) 5:4. With Kane on the ice and no Bolland, the Blackhawks outscored the opposition 3:2 and out-Corsied them 4:3.The results (shown in the link above) were very similar for Patrick Sharp with and without Bolland.

Putting that into English: a line of Patrick Kane, Dave Bolland and Patrick Sharp were crushed by the opposition despite playing on a very good team. That same unit, minus Dave Bolland, was dominant. Bolland fell to fourth line duty in the playoffs. Bolland’s only 27 but plays a physically intense style with a slight frame (6’, 184 pounds) and any team acquiring him runs the risk that this year was the beginning of the new trend with Bolland rather than an aberration.

The Bottom Line

Dave Bolland has been a very, very good hockey player in recent years, but his struggles in 2013 make him a risk – and any team acquiring him should refuse to pay market value given that risk. The Blackhawks, while evidently interested primarily in future rather than current assets, are asking for a hefty return for Bolland’s services. It simply doesn’t make sense for a team like Edmonton to offer up that kind of package for an uncertain return.

Recently around the Nation Network

Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Lightning announced they were going to buy out Vincent Lecavalier, and fans in 29 other cities immediately started wondering if he might be a fit for their team. In Vancouver, it appears that general manager Mike Gillis has definite interest:

Needless to say Lecavalier will have plenty of suitors, including the Canucks to hear Pierre LeBrun tell it on the Team 1050 on Thursday. "The Canucks front office has already talked to John Tortorella about this," Lebrun passed along on Thursday, "and they see this as a possible fit if they can get out of cap hell, which they're in now."

Click the link to read more, or alternately, feel free check out some of my other pieces here:

Jonathan Willis is a freelance writer.
He currently works for Oilers Nation, Sportsnet, the Edmonton Journal and Bleacher Report.
He's co-written three books and worked for myriad websites, including Grantland, ESPN, The Score, and Hockey Prospectus. He was previously the founder and managing editor of Copper & Blue.

Wouldn't touch Letang with a 10' pole. What kind of selfish prick turns down 7 per to remain with a perennial contender? Putting his own selfish needs before the teams requirements. Who the frigg does he think he is, Shea Weber?

We best warm up to the thought of having Hemsky and Horcoff back in the fold. It's become obvious our options are very limited. Giving them away for virtually free shouldn't be an option. Move Hemsky at the deadline, keep Gagner and Horc and take the lotto pick/near lotto selection again next year. Try again next season.

If anything happens now, it's likely to be a sideways move that will have little impact on this hockey club.

Letang is too expensive, he is an average defender and very good offensive player. Not hard to put up points playing with some of the best players in the world. I'm actually surprised he did not do better on the PP. He is not an elite #1 d-man.

I'm not so sure going hard after Letang is a good idea. Between the price to acquire his rights, and then his desire for a 7 mill + per season contract. Offensively he's very good but in the D zone he's not good enough to warrant that money. For that kind of dough he needs to be a complete dman, ala Chara, Weber, and Suter. I would not pay Letang more than Hall.

AM I the ONLY ONE not interested in Letang...the guy has skills that we need, no doubt, but I'd shy away from giving up 7th overall. How'd the Oilers do after missing out on the last deep draft (2003): BRUTAL for YEARS. Despite wanting to improve this team now, we still need young talent to be injected into the team for the next few years. Even if it's just Nurse that we get.

I don't want to shy away from him completely, but the cost seems way too high...plus you then need to pay $7.5M to $8M to keep him around? Hall is a better player and he doesn't get that...

I was high on Letang at $6.5 or $6.75M. At $7.5M or more ... PASS. That contract will be a prime buyout candidate in 5 years.

I don't think Bolland works if too much is paid as he is more like now an injury prone 4th line center. Apparently...at the asking price of what chicago seemingly wants...aka Pominville deal...way too much dude!!!!

I very much rather would see Zack Smith or Boyd Gordon brought in for the next year.

Although not a Canucks fan nor... a fan of this player from the canucks, I even would think Lapierre would be a better fit as a gritty tick me off guy for the 4th line as centre....hope I am not going crazy suggesting this guy to come to the Oil...lol.

Congrats on Keith Acton coming to the Oilers!!! Good man and he did play excellent PK roles and was a good centre/faceoff performer. Should be able to help the Nuge on faceoffs. I am unsure as to why both Steve Smith and Buckberger are here still though.

Oh yeah, letang coming here now for one year for sure at $3.5 mil is most excellent. it is the stupid ridiculous notion that he wants more than $7 mil per year longterm.

I think he is an excellent top defender and is in his prime perfectly...but...if he is that type of money seeker from even the Penguins...why did he not win the cup more than just once with those guys of Crosby, malkin, Iginla, Fleury, etc???? Don't forget also that Jordan stall played for years too with letang and still only one cup was won...

If the Oilers are remotely gonna possibly pay more than $8 mil per yr for this guy long term....then I say go harder for Weber (without losing the team core somehow) and pay his huge contract cause Weber is a much better defenceman than Letang.

If the oilers are going to use 8 million of cap on a Dman this is not the type of Dman they should be using it on. The Oilers have an offensive dynamo in Justin Shultz already, he still needs to improve in his own end, but I think it's clear for all to see we have a good offensive Dman on the rise. The type of Dman we are looking for if we use by far the biggest single piece of our cap on one player should be in the Weber, Pronger mold. That physically dominating Dman who plays a two way Game and emphasizes shutting down the other teams offense. This type of player would instantly round out the Oilers defense.

AM I the ONLY ONE not interested in Letang...the guy has skills that we need, no doubt, but I'd shy away from giving up 7th overall. How'd the Oilers do after missing out on the last deep draft (2003): BRUTAL for YEARS. Despite wanting to improve this team now, we still need young talent to be injected into the team for the next few years. Even if it's just Nurse that we get.

I don't want to shy away from him completely, but the cost seems way too high...plus you then need to pay $7.5M to $8M to keep him around? Hall is a better player and he doesn't get that...

Pass on Bolland and a bigger pass on Letang... Letand at $5M to $6.5M a year, maybe, but at $7M+? No way. Not with Hall, RNH, Eberle, and Yak all likely to be $6M+ players within the next few years. And that doesn't count Gagner and J. Schultz clocking in at the $5M+ per season range during the same time period. If Letang comes over, something somewhere else has to give and that likely means say goodbye to Yak.

Wouldn't touch Letang with a 10' pole. What kind of selfish prick turns down 7 per to remain with a perennial contender? Putting his own selfish needs before the teams requirements. Who the frigg does he think he is, Shea Weber?

We best warm up to the thought of having Hemsky and Horcoff back in the fold. It's become obvious our options are very limited. Giving them away for virtually free shouldn't be an option. Move Hemsky at the deadline, keep Gagner and Horc and take the lotto pick/near lotto selection again next year. Try again next season.

If anything happens now, it's likely to be a sideways move that will have little impact on this hockey club.

Are you freaking kidding me. Did you two just agree that the best plan of action is to hope for a lottery pick again next year????!!!!! Burn through a few more years of ELC for the core, discourage any positivity your fans feel towards the team. you both cant be Tambo can you?

First off, those who like Bolland...at the type of Pominville deal...are loony tunes. No one GM "sane enough" is goona waste a #7 pick.,..at the least...or even two very good slots in the second round for an somewhat injury proneand very average point producer... type 3rd to 4th line center...PERIOD!!!

There are other many younger to very good veteran plkayers to sign UFA or trade for but not at that type price Chicago is seeking.

Next, if Letang wants to get over $7.5 to $8 mil plus per year long term let him find another team other than Edmonton.

I am not agreeing with JW who wants this guy at that type price per yr..without proving himself to lead his team (ex; Penguins) into several cup . One Cup on a loaded Penguins squad? That does not warrant $7 to 48 mil per year....

I would much rather get Yandle, Tyutin, even Coburn, etc, to line up with J. schultz as the top pairing/2nd top pairing than to send alot of assets/picks/prospects for one such D-man as Letang.

I absolute know he is 26 yrs old and he is an offensive whiz, and he is a big upgrade to the Oilers present defence...but... his injury times and his play this post season... did not impress me not once enough to support and/or give up any of the Oilers' six top kids (Hall, Ebs, RNH, J.Schultz, Yak, Klefbom) plus the #7 pick overall and maybe plus one to two more prospects.

$7.5 mil to $8 mil per year is not worth it on top of any assets going to Pittsburgh for this guy.

I've always thout 8million is too much for one player. You could get two sixty point players to play together instead of crosby. I woul rather pick up two 4 million top 4 dmen instead of letang. Not to mention he will have an albatross contract that makes him untradeable when we get in our cap crunch. Plus you are making holes further down the roster to get him, which for a paper thin team like the oilers is catastrophic(see penner and gilbert trades).

also, his faceoff % as a defensive center blows. if Horcoff gets tossed to another team and we - by miracle - picked up Bolland... the top 3 centers FO% would be around 43%... 3 points worse than our average last year.

Oh yeah, letang coming here now for one year for sure at $3.5 mil is most excellent. it is the stupid ridiculous notion that he wants more than $7 mil per year longterm.

I think he is an excellent top defender and is in his prime perfectly...but...if he is that type of money seeker from even the Penguins...why did he not win the cup more than just once with those guys of Crosby, malkin, Iginla, Fleury, etc???? Don't forget also that Jordan stall played for years too with letang and still only one cup was won...

If the Oilers are remotely gonna possibly pay more than $8 mil per yr for this guy long term....then I say go harder for Weber (without losing the team core somehow) and pay his huge contract cause Weber is a much better defenceman than Letang.

I agree, if we're getting into Weber money for a player, why not just go get Weber? Obviously talking about it and making it happen are two very different things, however I think what we're all saying is we don't want Mac T to go do some ridiculous over payment for someone. Plus that really screws up the top contract method whereby all payers are now going to be measured against the six million Hall is getting.

For those of you wise people who called Acton as Associate coach, well done, pat each other on the back you nailed it!

JW, completely agree on Bolland. His value will never be higher than now. Unfortunately for them Tambo isn't in charge, so there likely won't be a huge overpay for him from us. But I've been wrong before, and this organisation seems to delight in strange moves.

Would love Letang, but Sportsnet reporting that he wants the Leafs. Does this report hold water, or just another sensationalist column of the 'if we say it long enough and loud enough it will be true' variety?

Wow, that's a steep price that Chicago is asking for. I'd counter Chicago's asking price with an offer for free dinner on the Edmonton Queen Riverboat for the entire Blackhawk team when they are in town for a game around Christmas.

I'm not sure I would dismiss Bolland as a result of one season. He has been leaned on by Quenneville as a shut-down C for 5+ seasons and has a history (prior to this year) of shutting down opposing teams' top lines. Perhaps injury and circumstance played into his poor stats, but despite that the guy has been a key player on an excellent team.

Forget Boyd Gordon and Zach Smith - Bolland is still young and has been a major factor in Chicago's success.

Personnally I would be willing to part with the 37th overall and a B prospect like Dillon Simpson or Mitch Moroz to obtain the player. At least you'd have the better part of the season in '13-'14 to evaluate whether to extend him or not.

However, if the asking price is anywhere near where Stauffer suggests it is ... PASS.

AM I the ONLY ONE not interested in Letang...the guy has skills that we need, no doubt, but I'd shy away from giving up 7th overall. How'd the Oilers do after missing out on the last deep draft (2003): BRUTAL for YEARS. Despite wanting to improve this team now, we still need young talent to be injected into the team for the next few years. Even if it's just Nurse that we get.

I don't want to shy away from him completely, but the cost seems way too high...plus you then need to pay $7.5M to $8M to keep him around? Hall is a better player and he doesn't get that...

Agreed.. Forget Letang. We don't need him. We have defensemen coming up the pipe. Lets get those 3rd and 4th line character guys, and someone to back up Dubnyk, and see what Dallas can do. Paying Letang that much would sure upset the apple cart here as far as future contracts for our core. BIG PASS

Shea Weber is not for trade. I don't know how many times Poile has to say it, I don't know how many times we have to run through the logic, but please everyone, say it with me: Shea Weber will not be an Edmonton Oiler anytime soon, and likely not ever. It's not happening. Let it go.

Justin Schultz is nowhere near what Kris Letang is right now. On a team like Pittsburgh, Schultz would have been a healthy scratch at times with his late season performance; Letang played huge minutes at even-strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill. "We have a guy who, if everything goes right, in a few years might be Letang" is a bad rationale for not getting Letang.

Finally: Aside from Chicago, which got Keith on a cheater contract, recent winners have had a defenceman on a top dollars contract. Zdeno Chara was making $7.5 million for Boston in 2010 against a salary cap below $60 million. Drew Doughty was making $7 million against a $70 million cap last year. By the time Letang hits his new deal (likely for around $7.5MM; his agent reportedly counter-offered $7.8MM AAV after getting a $7MM AAV offer) the cap will likely be $75 million; that's workable for a good number one defenceman.

Wouldn't touch Letang with a 10' pole. What kind of selfish prick turns down 7 per to remain with a perennial contender? Putting his own selfish needs before the teams requirements. Who the frigg does he think he is, Shea Weber?

We best warm up to the thought of having Hemsky and Horcoff back in the fold. It's become obvious our options are very limited. Giving them away for virtually free shouldn't be an option. Move Hemsky at the deadline, keep Gagner and Horc and take the lotto pick/near lotto selection again next year. Try again next season.

If anything happens now, it's likely to be a sideways move that will have little impact on this hockey club.

AM I the ONLY ONE not interested in Letang...the guy has skills that we need, no doubt, but I'd shy away from giving up 7th overall. How'd the Oilers do after missing out on the last deep draft (2003): BRUTAL for YEARS. Despite wanting to improve this team now, we still need young talent to be injected into the team for the next few years. Even if it's just Nurse that we get.

I don't want to shy away from him completely, but the cost seems way too high...plus you then need to pay $7.5M to $8M to keep him around? Hall is a better player and he doesn't get that...

Shea Weber is not for trade. I don't know how many times Poile has to say it, I don't know how many times we have to run through the logic, but please everyone, say it with me: Shea Weber will not be an Edmonton Oiler anytime soon, and likely not ever. It's not happening. Let it go.

Justin Schultz is nowhere near what Kris Letang is right now. On a team like Pittsburgh, Schultz would have been a healthy scratch at times with his late season performance; Letang played huge minutes at even-strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill. "We have a guy who, if everything goes right, in a few years might be Letang" is a bad rationale for not getting Letang.

Finally: Aside from Chicago, which got Keith on a cheater contract, recent winners have had a defenceman on a top dollars contract. Zdeno Chara was making $7.5 million for Boston in 2010 against a salary cap below $60 million. Drew Doughty was making $7 million against a $70 million cap last year. By the time Letang hits his new deal (likely for around $7.5MM; his agent reportedly counter-offered $7.8MM AAV after getting a $7MM AAV offer) the cap will likely be $75 million; that's workable for a good number one defenceman.

So apparently I'm not the only one who wants to pass on Letang. But you, Mr. Willis, seem to be high on him.

I'm going to agree with you on Weber, and on Schultz...that being said, you never know when Justin gets used to the schedule/NHL/learns defense, etc.

But with Letang, I just don't see the defensive side of his game being good enough to warrant giving up a bunch of our top prospects and 7th overall, plus our first next year, and then pay him an ridiculous contract. You are making assumptions about the cap that I don't buy. I would be up for giving up future picks (2014 and beyond), and maybe a prospect or two, but some of this has to be conditional on a long term deal. Otherwise we remain a non-playoff team for YEARS more.

I think having a player like Letang around for Justin Schultz to play with and ultimately learn from could only be a good thing. 7.5m sounds steep but in this case the Oilers should put their money where their mouths are. Pay the man. Do the sideways/pick trades for the "meat" we need and lets get this show on the road.

Picking up Letang would certainly qualify as a bold move in making this team better. That's what they want to do. Placing our hopes and dreams on the draft and free agency is getting tiresome isn't it?

Oilers have to learn to do what Chicago is trying to do....play good players Bolland, Bickell, Shaw, etc ..and boost their value by playing them with great players, Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp.......THEN SELL THEM. While their value is at a premium....get a boat load of draft picks...and replace them with other good players in the system...etc etc etc...

Shea Weber is not for trade. I don't know how many times Poile has to say it, I don't know how many times we have to run through the logic, but please everyone, say it with me: Shea Weber will not be an Edmonton Oiler anytime soon, and likely not ever. It's not happening. Let it go.

Justin Schultz is nowhere near what Kris Letang is right now. On a team like Pittsburgh, Schultz would have been a healthy scratch at times with his late season performance; Letang played huge minutes at even-strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill. "We have a guy who, if everything goes right, in a few years might be Letang" is a bad rationale for not getting Letang.

Finally: Aside from Chicago, which got Keith on a cheater contract, recent winners have had a defenceman on a top dollars contract. Zdeno Chara was making $7.5 million for Boston in 2010 against a salary cap below $60 million. Drew Doughty was making $7 million against a $70 million cap last year. By the time Letang hits his new deal (likely for around $7.5MM; his agent reportedly counter-offered $7.8MM AAV after getting a $7MM AAV offer) the cap will likely be $75 million; that's workable for a good number one defenceman.

people eh? thanks JW.

Kris Letang is just 26. Tell me people, will J. Schultz be a Norris finalist in 4yrs? and the Edm Journal blog made the crucial statement in defense of this move: "Crosby and Malkins numbers were cut in half without Letang" crucial FACT.

With the cap going up after next year and the improbability of a franchise, #1 modern day Brian Leetch being available, this is a move the Oil MUST pursue HAAAAAARD.

Letang would be Edmonton's best all around Dman, however he is not in the top 10 for defensemen in the league. He wants to get paid like one.

That is why I would not want him.

Letang would be Edm best PLAYER. and no, this doesnt mean i dont like Hall, Ebs, etc....i do. Again, the point I always make.....this city has not had an ace dman since Paul Coffey...so people dont remember how important that player is. Ask the old school how important Coffey was...and how much better he made already good players. Kris Letang will instantly make the Edm offense as dangerous as when gun powder was invented and first used on the battle field. GAME CHANGER

Ooooo I'm so excited, draft, free agency, player moves, buy outs... let me spoil the suspense for oil fans. What's going to happen? The oil will hold all their picks, resign Khabbi as a back up because all the other options have signed elsewhere, resign Hemmer because the trade return would be modest at best, keep Horc so we have at least 1 real NHL centre when RNH sits out until December with his little broken wing, lose 10 straight during the rodeo road trip ending any thought of challenging for the play-offs.

Now Bollands out of the way , lets get on to Stauffers idea of adding Coburn to lineup . This makes sense out opens up a lot of opportunities at the draft for our NBR.7 slot . Nurse expected to turn out same as Coburn even size wise , and Coburn is already NHL productive . That then leaves us open to take a Nicushkin , Monohan , Ristlainen and perhaps Lindholm with our pick . Staufers on to something here , and I like it .What might it take to get Coburn -probably a second and prospect seeing as Philly does not want to take on a much for a contract .

I think having a player like Letang around for Justin Schultz to play with and ultimately learn from could only be a good thing. 7.5m sounds steep but in this case the Oilers should put their money where their mouths are. Pay the man. Do the sideways/pick trades for the "meat" we need and lets get this show on the road.

Picking up Letang would certainly qualify as a bold move in making this team better. That's what they want to do. Placing our hopes and dreams on the draft and free agency is getting tiresome isn't it?

It's the type of move that can hamstring an organization for years. If you haven't paid attention to notice guys like Lecavalier, soon Richards getting bought out because their contract is too hefty for what they can bring to the table.

Offensive Dmen are great, but just remember the most important part about being a good defenseman is playing Defense. Willis mentions cup winners having studs on D, this is 100% true but those same guys are all defense first and dominant in theirs own end. Chara, Doughty, Pronger, Lidstrom these are guys that shut down the other teams offense.

We have a very skilled offensive Dman right now in Schultz but where is our 30 minutes per night shutdown Dman. We certainly will never be able to acquire one if we pay a Letang 8 million per season.

Ok bottom line would the Oilers be a better team with Letang or without him? I don't see how you could possibly argue they wouldn't be.

I'm not going to get into the what style is this rebuild debate anymore, but I would rather be the Blackhawks who focus on puck possession and scoring goals than the L.A. Kings who focus on scoring 2 goals and riding out the other teams offense.